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How to Accept a Badge

A step-by-step guide to claiming your digital badge on BadgeFed

You've been granted a digital badge — congratulations! Accepting a badge takes just a few minutes. This guide walks you through every step, from opening the accept link to sharing your achievement with the world.

Receive Link Verify Email Enter Profile Accept

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Open Your Accept Link

When someone grants you a badge, you will receive a unique accept link. This can arrive through:

  • Email — an email from the badge issuer with a clickable link.
  • ActivityPub notification — a private message on the Fediverse (e.g. Mastodon) if your profile is a Fediverse actor.
  • Direct share — the issuer may share the link with you directly.

Click the link to open the badge acceptance page. The URL looks like:

https://instance.example.com/accept/grant/{id}/{key}

Bookmark this link — you'll need it until you've accepted the badge.
2

Verify Your Email Address

If the badge was issued using an email address, you'll be asked to confirm it. Enter the exact email address the badge was sent to and click Validate.

This step prevents unauthorized acceptance. Until you verify, some badge details (description, earning criteria) will be partially hidden.

If you don't know which email was used, contact the badge issuer.
3

Provide Your Profile URL

After verifying your email, you need to provide a profile URL. This is the public identity that will be associated with you badge. Choose one of the following:

LinkedIn
Mastodon
Badge Wallet
GitHub
Personal Website
Other URL

Use the helper buttons on the accept page to get the right URL format. For LinkedIn, you just need to enter your username.

Don't have a profile? You may be offered a free Badge Wallet or Fediverse profile.
4

Enter Your Full Name

Enter the name you'd like displayed with the badge. This will be publicly visible and permanently associated with this badge once accepted.

5

Choose Visibility

Decide who can see your badge:

Public

Your badge is searchable and visible to everyone. It will be federated across the network.

Unlisted

Not searchable, but anyone with the direct link can view it.

6

Accept the Badge

Review all the details and click Accept Badge. By accepting, you certify that you completed the earning criteria described in the badge.

After acceptance, your badge will be cryptographically signed and published to the network. Refresh the page after a few moments to see your finalized badge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is a Profile URL required instead of an email?

BadgeFed uses open, decentralized standards (ActivityPub & Open Badges). A profile URL is a publicly verifiable identity that links the badge to you without depending on a centralized email provider. It also allows your badge to be discovered and verified by anyone on the web.

What happens after I accept?

Your badge is cryptographically signed and becomes verifiable. If you chose Public visibility, it is federated across the network and shared with the issuer's followers via ActivityPub. You'll receive a permanent link to view and share your badge.

Can I change my profile URL or visibility later?

Once a badge is accepted and signed, the profile URL cannot be changed because it is part of the cryptographic record. Contact the badge issuer if you need to make changes — they may be able to revoke and re-issue the badge.

My accept link doesn't work. What should I do?

Make sure you are using the complete URL from the original notification. If the badge has already been accepted or revoked, the link will no longer be valid. Contact the badge issuer for assistance.

What is a Badge Wallet?

A Badge Wallet is a free Fediverse profile specifically designed for collecting and showcasing digital badges. If the instance supports it, you may be offered the option to create one during the acceptance process.

Is my email address shared publicly?

No. Your email address is only used for verification during acceptance. It is never published or shared publicly. Only your profile URL and name appear on the badge.